A binary ink drop printer is disclosed of the type wherein continuously generated drops are electrostatically deflected to intersect either a target or a gutter. The printer includes M x N number of nozzles (16. 17) for generating drops and a like number of charging electrodes (3, 4) for charging drops to either a print level for flight to the target (10) or a gutter level for flight to a gutter (8, 9). A M x N matrix is used to couple voltages to the charging electrodes and thereby greatly reduce the number of electrical connections to a substrate carrying the M x N number of charging electrodes. Each charging electrode includes two sections. Application of a print voltage to both sections causes the generation of a print drop that goes to the target and application of a gutter voltage to either or both sections of the charging electrode causes the generation of a gutter drop that is collected in the gutter. One two section electrode is made using at least two partial cylinders. Another two section electrode is made by coupling a single electrode to a voltage divider network.